Miss Vietnam World 2007 Ngo Phuong Lan and Vietnam 's international chess grandmaster Le Quang Liem will participate in the torch relay at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics in Manchester, the UK this June.

Le Quang Liem, Photo: Tuoi Tre

Liem and Lan will join the event along with more than 100 outstanding individuals from countries round the world.

The torch relay is one of the traditional events held before the Olympic Games officially open.

This year, around 6,800 torchbearers will carry the Olympic torch for 70 days through many cities, towns and villages in the UK before returning to London and lighting the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony.

In response to the event, Samsung, an Olympic sponsor, has officially launched a walking contest in Vietnam with the aim of encouraging people to take part in sporting activities.

The contest is scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City on June 17. It is expected to attract more than 5,000 participants

Source: VNA